Hilltop schools to benefit from grant monies
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| Messenger photo by Sean V. Lehosit |
| Twenty-one grant receipients stand with their business sponsors at a special luncheon on Jan. 12. |
From the use of iPods to window farms, 21 local teachers have created innovative lesson plans to teach their children critical thinking and independent reading skills.
More than 2,680 students on the Hilltop will benefit from grant monies raised in concert between the Hilltop Kiwanis Club and local business sponsors.
The Elementary and Middle School Grant Program was developed 11 years ago, but has experienced an increase in activity over the last five years. Fourteen out of the 17 elementary and middle schools on the Hilltop submitted a total of 37 grant applications last year.
Twenty-one projects were awarded grants this year.
According to Sandra Robert, grant coordinator, the program normally receives around $1,500, but this year’s program totaled $5,000 in donations.
The record breaking year was the product of donations made by Gearhart’s TrueValue Hardware, Haydocy Automotive, Jerry Spears Funeral Home, KeyBank, Kiddie Grove Day Care, Mad Hatter Mufflers, Milner Family Shoes and Toyota West.
Many of the projects focus on building reading and writing skills through events like poetry slams, writer workshops, writing their own biographies and starting book clubs.
New technologies are also explored through these programs, from LeapFrog learning devices in the classroom to calculators the children may use to practice at home.
Schools that received grants:
• John Burroughs E.S.
• Eakin E.S.
• Georgian Heights E.S.
• Highland E.S.
• Hilltonia M.S.
• Imagine Great Western Academy
• Imagine at Sullivant
• Lindbergh E.S.
• St. Mary Magdalene School
• Wedgewood M.S.
• West Broad E.S.
• West Mound E.S.
• Westgate E.S.